MTV, Gak Gue Banget!

This article was published by The Jakarta Post on December 15, 2007. I’d like to thank Mba Jennie for the support, encouragement, and love. Read the article on The Jakarta Post, here.

As a young person who loves to wear Nike and Adidas shoes I can understand why my girlfriends think that clothes from Zara and Mango are cool. As a person who is a big fan of Rage Against The Machine with the political messages in their songs and lives among young people who think that dangdut is a stupid music I can understand why my boyfriends feel that Eminem is so rebellious (in a motivating way) and that The Killers rocks. As a person who hates watching Indonesian movies and TV soap operas I can see why my friends adore Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie. And as a marketing guy who believes that positioning is very important to “brainwash” customers’ minds I have to admit that people behind the marketing campaign of MTV Indonesia were smart when they came up with a simple and appealing tagline: MTV Gue Banget (MTV is So Me).

Indeed, MTV is so me and it is so other young Indonesians too. Go to any mall in Jakarta on a Saturday night and you will see how MTV is everywhere. Young Indonesians walk proudly with their modern attributes while mingle with their friends. Some have their hair colored while some are tatooed and pierced. Both the boys and the girls think that iPod is the coolest gadget in the whole world and they just can’t live without it. Since MTV culture is all about the drunk Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, young people in Jakarta think that clubbing is just another lifestyle they can’t miss. In response to that kind of lifetyle, companies keep building new malls, cafes, movie theatres, and clubs.

MTV and its tagline represent two types of cultural distortion in Indonesia:

Jakarta to other cities: The culture of young people in Jakarta is spreading negatively to big and small cities in Indonesia. In a country where TV is the cheapest entertainment for its people, TV might be the one to blame for the cultural distortion that we are having. The cheapest entertainment gives our audience cheap and low quality TV soap operas (sinetron) that are not educating and motivating our young generation to be a progressive generation for the future of Indonesia. It is common now to hear young people in Bandung, Semarang, or Surabaya speak the so-called gaul languange of Jakarta’s young people. The use of this languange represents the decline of local cultural interest in big cities in Java and other places. It is true that local languanges are still spoken among young people but what about the traditional ceremonies, dances, clothes, and cultural values? Those young people who make Jakarta as their mecca find out that loving our culture is not part of the lifestyle of young people in Jakarta through movies, songs, magazines, radios, and TV programs.

The world to big cities in Indonesia: The American pop culture through medias like MTV is invading Indonesian young people’s minds, especially those in Jakarta and other big cities. The MTV generation, as they call it, is invading countries in the world including even China and Russia. Indonesia with its Jakarta is no exception. As the world has become so much smaller due to the invention of the internet and other information medias, young people in Indonesia are losing their local taste for a new culture that they consider to be better. Actually, MTV culture is not all bad since it also spreads some positive ideas such as creativity, freedom of speech, love, and friendship. If we classify those ideas as a cultural content then it is true that our Indonesian culture does have those ideas too, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right? But, a problem emerges because our Indonesian culture has a different kind of context in delivering the content. Freedom of speech, for example, Indonesians do support freedom of speech. But, what kind of freedom of speech that our old generation tells us to energize? I don’t think it is the kind of freedom of speech that the Americans implement.

I wish I could say that MTV Gak Gue Banget, MTV is so not me. But, I know that would be impossible since I love the world’s culture too much, or American culture some might say. I love their movies, their songs, their clothes, their internet, and their sports. And, I guess it’s unfair for old generation to ask young Indonesians to be 100 percent “Indonesian.” The world has changed, and it is a different kind of world we have right now. All countries are so connected that cultural assimilation is something we can’t avoid. But at the same time, it is not a bizarre request from the old generation that young Indoesians can love the local culture a litte bit more. I mean, who else would preserve our cultural treasures, the things that make us a nation? So, I wouldn’t end this article by saying, “MTV, Gak Gue Banget,” but instead I’d end this article by saying, “MTV is just half of me.”

MTV is sóóóóó very much the eighties. Almost an opa-opa thing. Even provincial perhaps. I can not imagine any cool kid watching MTV.

Apart from that the cultural essence of a society is not in danger if shallow entertainment from elsewhere is replacing the own cultural heritage of shallow entertainment. The hardcore identity of Indonesia, the part that defines the uniqueness of the country, will survive any invasion – be it an Arab or Western one. At least as long as you and I will live.

Yes, western culture was invaded after the skies were open ..MTV, created new generation in India. and I was part of the MTV life style..Though my parents were strict I was carried away by my friends..hanging out in malls wearing trendy clothes.Today’s fashion were outdated tomorrow.But now I dont think MTV has brought anything Good to the society..It sounds strange when teen gurls advice to have sefe sex..and guys were told to use Condoms.I know about same-sex relationship(gays and lesbians)through MTV.Then came BPO boom in India and young guys/gurls with just spoken English and dumb were earning 10times what their dad earned.partying and sex became part of life.These culture are like Tornado it comes-destroys and leaves.I dont think MTV has invaded Indonesia as it has done to other Asian countries.
Compared with other ASEAN countries Indonesians still follow their culture and it is intact .. Asking Beyounce to wear proper clothes is an example.
There is nothing wrong to assimilate other cultures But we cant go overboard.Same time Teens cant take these Non-underwearing Britney or Drunk Loren or Sex tape paris as role Models. Do people in Aceh Watch MTV??????Indonesia is not Java alone.. MTV culture cant penetrate other non-Java Places.. 80% of Indonesians will say–MTV is not me…10% MTV half me..and another 10% MTV me.In Indonesia Batik Sarongs wont be replaced by Denim Jeans.am I rgt!!!!

Hey mas,
Well i dont know much about Indonesias culture and the MTV they have there..But I can comment on the MTV here in USA. It does have some shallow messages but it also has some good ones….everytime election comes around they do encourage young people to get involve and vote….their THINK messages between programs can be insulting to some people. For example, they don’t condemn sex outside of marriage..basically, they just encourage that if you are going to do it be safe! For this culture here in USA its a good message because there are a lot of STD among young people…SO I can see how this can shock people who are from a concervative culture or can be consider an invasion… I don’t necessarely agree with everything but I do enjoy some of their music.. I grew up watching MTV and it didn’t invade my latin culture or make me forget where I come from…the way I think is take the good message and trash the bad….🙂

@yunir: The real threat – to an individual, a group or a country- is fear (Fear of flying, fear of the future, fear of being exposed to cruel or shocking images, fear of strangers – whatever, even fear of MTV, technology, liberals, Burqa’s or McDonalds).

colson : heyyy…I watch MTV, I love watching MTV, but I am one cool kid…*wink. Just like Yheudy, I don’t let it invade me. I take the good and keep the bad as knowledge.

I get the part the real threat is fear to foreign influence. And I agree, people shouldn’t close themselves, they should develop themselves with accept and sort the influence without losing their ground. I just don’t get the correlation between the fear of foreign influence and cultural distortion that happened among Indonesian youth. I think the youth here didn’t fear the foreign influence, they washed away by it. Maybe I don’t get you right. Please explain more…with easier english (if that’s okay with you…)

Zulfi: I don’t think it’s strange when they campaign save sex. What we call free-sex, it’s different with us the eastern, but well…we live in different part of the world… it’s just their culture, that’s the way they live, that’s what they believe, so I understand. And I think it’s good they campaign it. Better than STD and AIDS and unwanted baby right?? The problem is, we-the eastern, sometimes don’t understand that the campaign was meant for the western, with their different culture. We misinterpret it, and we think it is the only way to be cool.

And what you said about not every people in Indo watch MTV. Well…yes, you’re right. But they watch Indonesian TV which copied the lifestyle of MTV with no exception, sometimes even worse. Trust me, Indonesian’s soap opera much much worse than MTV.

And as much as I hate saying this, and how I hope your statement is true…but batik and sarong were replaced by jeans. Your statement hit me hard…but its kinda hard to wear batik and sarong and other traditional clothes everyday…

For both of you, I hope you could understand what I say…I’m not really good in English, but I’m doing the best I can…hehehe…

@zahra: You’re clever (you did manage to decipher my code) and I’m sorry (for the kind of unreadable English I use).

You know better than I do about Indonesian youth. So, I take it Indonesian youngsters have been and are being washed away by “MTV culture”. The old ways are being or have been distorted.

But is that something you should worry about?

It kind of describes the situation of my own youth; after World War II the part of Europe were I was living was being “Americanized” – Jazz ( in stead of Mozart), Pop songs ( instead of “Chansons”), Blue Jeans (in stead of “Plus Fours”), blunt social intercourse (in stead of politeness), musicals ( instead of Opera) etc.

And this went on and on and on up to this moment. But that’s only superficial. Nowadays European(youth) culture is still quite different ( I’m happy to say) from the American one. But by being exposed to and by being open to foreign influences over the last fifty years, our own youth culture is more dynamic, vital and interesting then ever.

If efforts to ban Jeans in 1950 or censure MTV in 1990, would have been successful, it would probably have resulted in stagnation and boring navel-gazing. I have to agree with Bob Dylan, who sang in the sixties: “Times they are a changing..”. They always were, they are and they alway will be.

I can not think up a reason why Indonesia in 2007 should be the exception. The best advice is: don’t be afraid and keep in touch. Be open minded and curious. And use “otherness” as a touchstone for the old ways and habits you are accustomed to. Don’t fear what you may loose, but be happy with what you may gain.

Everything from west is not bad..English and Computers(internet) are foreign influences too..Think Global but be Local..
@Zahra: Yes, I meant SAVE sex.Well,to save sex till marriage-hee…U meant safe sex but typed save..just kidding…Well, we-(the)-eastern try to copy the western do to be coool and end at the wrong side.Sheep cant be tiger by wearing tiger skin..U sound very intelligent like Journo..where is he???Pls write all ur comments in English to others too..I guess your english is far better than mine..Also ur right I too have tough time with Colson words.He is Phd master and Iam just kindergarden student.
@colson:Life should be exciting – especially while you’re young. Right!!!!—Not at all for me.. Enjoy with what you have within a frame..Jeans is cool, but gurls wearing half shown boobs is not cool,but looks hot for me..Those gurls loose respect to majority of the people which cant be gained.Buddy ur english is readable but not understandable-heee…Just kidding…
@yonna,Izmi: do comment in English too..

Colson:
hmmm…I think I get you. Analogically, when McDonald’s coming, people love it. They eat it all the time, even forget about the traditional food. But eventually, we’re gonna be sick of McDonald’s and realize that our traditional food is better. Doesn’t mean we stop eating McDonald’s…just as not as crazy as the first time, and we appreciate our traditional food even more. Is that what you mean? If that is…I kinda agree, because when you really close yourself you don’t let yourself develop. And being left out is not fun…heheh🙂. And usually people DID get away for a liiittle while…that’s how we learn to appreciate, and be grateful about what we already have, right?

The thing with Indonesian is…we’re a slow learner. And ‘the eventually’, when we realize we shouldn’t left our real culture, when will that happen? And will the culture still be there? My friend once said, “We don’t appreciate what we have because we think we’ll be seeing them forever. The fact is, it’ll be gone if we don’t care.” And I think she’s right. And we have another problem with this cultures thing, the Malaysian keep claiming our cultures as theirs. So when we’re busy with the new influence, another steal what ours right under our nose. So when we realize we’re sick of McDonald’s and wanna eat more traditional food, wait…sorry…it’s not our traditional food anymore? It’s Malaysian. Can we blame the Malaysian fully? Not really…because when they claiming ours as theirs, we’re busy with our McDonald’s. No wonder Malaysian love to claim our cultures as theirs, because we don’t seem to care.

I don’t mean to talk bad about my own nation…it’s just what I think happening right now.

Think global, but be local..I like that! So agree…
About what colson said how life should be fun especially when we’re young, I agree with him. Life SHOULD be fun. But I agree with you too. There’s a lot kind of fun. Go ahead, explore yourself, but when we forget about who we really are completely, it’s not cool anymore. It seems fake. And it’s not fun anymore. At least that’s what I think…

Just want to add: Indonesian food, Indonesian cooking is superb. The best in the world. I know. But I wouldn’t have known if the food culture in my country had not changed dramatically over the last 50 years.

McDonalds came in from the US of course , together with lots of other kinds of junk food. But fortunately we have been invaded by French, Italian, Spanish,Indian, Chinese, Japanese etc restaurants as well. Moreover you can find an abundance of Indonesian restaurants in any town and city (if you happen to be in the vicinity don’t forget to go to the best Indonesian take away Restaurant in Europe, “Dayang”, in The Hague) .

All this does not mean grandmothers’ and mothers’ cooking have disappeared. Not at all. Foreign influences just made food culture more adventurous and increased the opportunities.

Please dont mix food and clothes..Eat for yourself and wear for others..We eat what we like and wear what others will like…But sometimes I eat Pizza when Iam lazy to cook not bcos I like to eat..we eat in McDonald’s to show off..Have u ever gone to MAc alone..I admire Indonesians and Indonesian culture..The truth is your are not slow leaners,you are not proud of ur culture and food.Most Indos intro themself as Malayasians..Sometimes I say Iam Malasian here-heee….http://newzulfi.blogspot.com/2007/04/hierrr-iam-malaysian.html
malaysia has respect all over the world and not Indonesians.Malaysian gurls go abroad for higher studies but Indo gurls for work as house maids..so tell me who will respect Indonesians????(I know it hurts,but it is fact)..Indonesian food taste awesome..better then thai..indo bit sweet and thai spicy like Indian..When I was in dubai I eat at these resturants-Padang and Singapore Delli(owner is Indonesian)..Gado-gado is my fav..Another dish:-fried rice with small mutton pieces and potato(i dont know the menu card name).But most Indonesians name their resturant “malaysian or Singapore” as they know “Indonesia” name doesnt pull crowd…..After landing in USa I had not been to Mcdonalds or KFC bcos it is not Halal but sometimes I eat Vegee burger with french fries in Burgerking,but very rare.It is still not meal for me,just a snack….But I would prefer eating in Indian resturant bcos my tongue still likes that..
Yes,we try everything and at the end we feel our culture and our custom is better.Though I have MTV channel I watch only if there is AKON song..My Stomach doesnt feel full if I eat those burgers.more than that now I wear JEans bcos I dont need to wash often-heee..Bcos Now Iam 30 not 18 anymore.

U dont know who is Jurno…U need to ask Guebukanmonyet!
what is the discussion about Martin luther???

Colson:
You really think that Indonesian food is the best in the world?? Thank you…I’m so happy to hear (read) that🙂
Yes, even food is invading. But I like it…I like European food, I like Japanese food, I like Mediterranean food, I like Indian food, I like Chinese food. Basically I love food. Hahaha…
Yes, cultural change could be blessing. Made us creative, innovative, and make the world a much fun and nicer place to live🙂

Zulfi:
What I said about McD and traditional food, it was analogical. McD is the foreign influence, traditional food is the old cultures. You could switch them into anything.
And yeah…we’re not proud of our cultures. When I said we are a slow learner, that’s the extension from the analogy. If my analogy was what Colson mean, then we-Indonesians have problem. Because we’re not proud of what we have and we adore foreign influences more, we’re not gonna realize what we have until we lose it. So it’s gonna be too late when we realize that we shouldn’t left the culture just like that. This is what I mean with slow learner. Do you get me? If not…I’m really sorry…I’ve tried my best…

I never eat McD (or any kind of food) to show off…who am I showing off to? The strangers who eat in next table?? I eat them when I feel like I want it. And when I can afford it, of course…Yeah, for Asians who eat carbs a lot, McD and friends were just snack. I’ve gone to McD alone…but never eat there alone. But I never eat in ANYplace alone, I feel strange and freak. But it’s just me…

Lot of Indonesian introducing themselves as Malaysian?? Really? After all the stealing? Really??? Why?? Yeah, okay…because Indonesians were known as maid…And yes…I know Indonesian girl is well known as maid. When I’m in Indian Mosque in Singapore, I met a Malaysian and she thought I’m a maid, working for an Arabian lady. That’s insulting and embarrassing…let me tell you. I hope I’ll never have to feel that again! What should I do if that happening again? Bitching out? Not classy…

But again, REALLY?? Indian, in discriminate cases liked you, maybe. My best sympathy (I don’t insult you, am I? Because I don’t mean to…) India doesn’t have problem with Malaysian including stealing. And these Indonesian people still introduce themselves as Malaysian? Really?? Why not Vietnamese? Why not Thailand? Why it have to be Malaysian?? Oh my God…God I’m so angry…Even tough this country is so corrupt and sick and sick and disgusting I’ve never (and not planning to) introduce myself as Malaysian who keep stealing things from my country (or any country for that matter)?? What is wrong with these Indonesian??

Last, about this Jurno..Journo…is it good or bad that I sound like him?

my previous comments are about the influence of MTV to me and thanks to MTV has fulfilled my interest on music all this time😀

MTV or whatever the music channel name is, didn’t give the bad effect for me. because MTV is only a music channel that plays my favorite songs. It doesn’t change my attitude, the way i speak, the way i think, my lifestyle, etc…insha Allah me is me, I am what my family has educated me all this time, I am what the environment has taught me all this time, I am not what MTV has taught me.

@Zulfi
Marthin Luther King Jr? I told Zahra when i watched a movie Elizabeth Town, there’s a scene when Orlando Bloom stop by at Memphis, at the hotel where MLK Jr was assasssined. At that scene U2’s song “In The Name Of Love” is played, which it was dedicated for MLK Jr. I do like the song, so after watch it I listened to it just to hear the words “Early morning April 4th, shout rings out on the Memphis sky, free at last, they took your life, the could not take your pride” more and more. Do you get what I mean?🙂

me love indonesia .. also jakarta .. and MTV it was apart of me long-long time ago .. im not so MTV … and about Malaysian, i can’t understand why they keep claiming indonesian culture heritage as theirs .. people here love to say ” Malaysia Trully Maling Asia” .. they said bout diversity en stuff while “the diversity” it self comes from others country culture heritage.. why dont they just use the melayu culture rather than Ambon’s song (rasa sayange) ang Angklung (west java traditional instrument) .. but what they do makes us as indonesian, aware of our culture heritage .. me my self wearing Batik every Friday as uniform .. people here also love to use batik en kebaya for any accasion .. nowdays malay also claimed it as “theirs” .. we might let Mtv influence us, indonesian good musician are inspired by lots of western style .. but we should keep our culture in our daily life .. i will prefer soto betawi rather then McDonald indeed ..

I wont say Indonesian as best food but taste different..South Indian is the best..But still most of the Malaysian resturant owners are Indonesians.Sorry for my stupidity..I meant I eat in MAc to show off..I dont go alone..I go with my friends to show–mee too like Burgers and fries..To be honest,Malaysia is far ahead of Indonesia…Come on, Indos look like Malays and speak same language– they cant say they are thai or vietnames or filippinos.People will suspect from their looks..These Indos intro themselves as malays as they will get respect…”Malaysian” tag is an asset…MAlaysians never talk HIGH of their cultural heritage..Everyone knows they have None..Why should they steal from you guys..I dont agree with you..It sounds absurd for me..With alll respect to Indonesians…I can say Indonesians cant even dream of sending a man in space in another 100 years.Look at the growth of Malaysia in last 25yrs, they had taken a giant leap,where as Indonesia is learning to crawl..Malaysia are in the map of developed countries list thanks to Magathir Muhammed..Malays have the Petronas building,the proton car,KL airport..and not to forget F1 circuit in sepang.I dont think they will be wasting their time in stealing old cultural heritage which will take them no where.Malayasia is truly ASIA!!!where all culture exist…they dont say Indonesia culture is ours..
May be ur proud of Being Indonesian..But the Ambassdor of Indonesia to the sports world Taufik wants to play for Singapore in 2004 olympics..HE wanna be a Singaporean…what do u say to that?????I would rate Basuki as better sportsperson from Indonesia..She won against top players like steffi and monica seles but still stayed in Indonesia all her life and you Indos never treated her with respect..do u know who is she????
@yonna: Thanks for writing in english…MTV music was great..They showed us Khaled(arabic) and Ricky martin(latino)..But their talk shows and the VJs stupid comments is to be debated..I thought MLK was shot in Texas.
About Journo, he writes great comments…He had the anger that his nation is going no where..he is proud Indonesian like you Zahra…

Zulfi: why should they stealing?? well me dunno .. but they obviously use our songs to promote the tourism , another our song in ASIA festival, kebaya in competing world peagent as national costume .. that’s why i’m asking” why they do that?” while they have petronas also Sepang, they really developing better then us,en a good malay culture too,they could promote theirs right??? btw taufik went to Athens as Indonesian citizen, he won the gold Medal and also still being an indonesian citizen instead of singapore as he wish for sure, Basuki is a well entrepreneur here after retired from tennis, she has a line clothing (sport) in her name, she also trained our tenis athlete … ofcourse i know bout her … i miss mahathir too, we (indos-malay) had a better relation when he still incharge ..
we have HIGH or rich culture heritage, no doubt! maybe sumtime we dont aware.. but we do now . we have the tag line “save our culture heritage” .. we start to promote it in our nation first .. to build the awareness to all the citizen ..
i’m proud to be indonesian with everything in it .. i’m not saying indonesia better then other country .. or other countries are sucks .. we all do respect, i just see the fact thx .. http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/11/7/central/19353381&sec=centralhttp://www.liputan6.com/sosbud/?id=149799
( i dunno if can read in our language)

Zulfi:
I’m sorry…of course Indonesian can’t introduce themselves as Thailand or Vietnam. My sentence just show how upset I am about the decision those Indonesian made to introduce themselves as Malaysian. It’s sad they introduce themselves as another’s, and it’s even sad they still introduce themselves as Malaysian-who keep stealing our cultures. Maybe sounds absurd, but it happen…

And I don’t deny that Malaysia is far above Indonesia, and I don’t hate them too. It’s the Indonesians, when will we move if we keep denying who really are? Whatever we do, we still gonna be Indonesians. Even when we change our nationality, or have a plastic surgery, or dyed our hair. Running away is not helping…that’s what I think…

I do know her…Yayuk Basuki right??
And this similarity with Journo, I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you…:)

Ms.Me:
thanks for the help…although you don’t mean to help me…hehehe…yeah, it’s good to campaign it to the nation first. anyway, where are you? are you in Malaysia?

Zahra sound very intelligent. to me she tops among indos I know…sorry to Guebuk and Journo..Iam her fan now..
Ms.me: I guess kebaya is costume for Brunei, Malaysia,singapore and Indonesia..You are all one nation divided only in Map..Culture crosses boundaries but stealing!!!! I dont think so….Who choose her as Miss.Malaysia, she has odd..Indo-malay race is known for their looks….Small nose,slit eyes and round face.. she looks more like European…Bad choice as Miss.malaysia.
Taufik applied for singapore citizenship before the Athens olympics and International Badmition federation rejected it and asked him to play for Indonesia..I guess u all know about it..
I admire Basuki, as she was one of the top Asian tennis player.She was insipration for indian Tennis players both men and women..I heard she was Angela’s coach…where is Angela the juniour Wimbledon champion..You need to ask SBY to take Magathir as his advisor…The doctor is best for the Economy sick Indonesia…
No one can steal Indonesian rich cultural heritage… but does it have any use for countries development… Malaysia has no historic places like the buddist temple in yogya…But look how tourist flock to Malaysia and avoid going to Indonesia..MAS and Kl airport are the assets. But Garuda and CGK airports make the people run away after they land—Do I talk too much… Indo need to build infrastructure to bring tourists who can know more about Indonesian culture…
@zahra: I admire your patriotism…Your anger is justified…But I dont take ur point in blaming malaysia….Indonesia and Malaysia have same resources and same kind of people..But in last 25yrs, malaysia had used their Natural and Human resources in proper way…What went wrong for Indonesia..Can u pls tell me without pointing your fingers at malaysia…Dont say all the Indo-chinese make profit in Indonesia and invest in singapore as banks colapse in Indonesia..compare Indonesian Ruppiah with Malaysian Ringgit.. have u seen any Malays going abroad as house-maids???I admire Indonesia and feel sad to see Indonesia in wrong side…

Colson: MTV is an opa-opa thing? Hehe. I doubt that. Well, MTV culture may seem shallow for you, but it’s actually not if you think about it. It could be a real threat if the kind of mindset that MTV spreads is influencing lots of young Indonesians radically.

Syndez: Apaan tuh Mas?

Zulfi: To be fair, MTV isn’t just giving us negative values, as I explained in the article, MTV indeed supports some positive ideas which are good for our young people. Problems arise when those positive values have to collide with local positive values with different context. I wish you were right that batik isn’t replaced by jeans. Hehe.

Ahmad Simanjuntak: Yes, itu baru anak muda Indonesia.

Yheudy: Hey girl, how are you? Happy thanksgiving day btw🙂 I agree with, trash the bad messages and take the good ones. Everyone needs a little bit of entertainment right?

Yunir: Coke, iPod, or Nike are part of foreign influence too, of course. Those products are made in poor countries in Indonesia and what our workers get? It’s the new kind of occupation.

ms.me: It’s true we’ve been having this issue for so many years, and I’m one of those people who disagrees with what Malaysia has been doing. I hate to see that our government never seems to give enough efforts to solve the problem with Malaysian government, and people of two countries end up being victims.

There’s a great discussion going on between Zulfi, ms.me, Zahra, nice guys. Journos is a good friend of mine who used to give great comments on my previous articles. He’s going somewhere for a thanksgiving vacation at this moment.

Tasa: im sorry if the discussion is no longger bout MTV …I just found out thay malay recently has a “Reog” they called it “Barongan” .. Malaysia recently intoduce it in their social culture festival … i wish i could put the picture here … It looks so the same even the “kuda lumping” .. this time they trully copycat it .. every miss universe that has been in east java, always welcomed by the reog parade http://www.missuniverse.com/missuniverse/year-picts/08.04.07.html u might want to see . http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/ponorogo/culture.html . Zulfi: u mean basuki coach angelique or “angie” right?? … and yes they (malay) steal it!! .. maybe the government (indonesia) should think bout “prior art” … malaysia has a concern bout their tourism, but they promote it with indonesian songs??? … have u taste padang’s food?? it quite familiar out there, there is minang’s restaurant in US ( u are there right??) .. rendang is one of it .. and FYI Malaysia claimed it as theirs, indos-malay have the same melayu culture, in indonesia their culture are looks like RIAU or MEDAN, they has the same aksen, but not Java (the culture influenced by Hindu and Islam) … i admire how malaysia “grew up” their concern bout the tourism, i even admire the monorail .. it sad but true, they copycat indonesian culture, i must admit that malaysia are not creative in “art”, indonesian songs are the one they used to listen, even siti nurhaliza (love her) sing a song made by indonesian, and she always made the video in jakarta,Malaysia is quite famous outhere, they promote the country so well (tourism) the one that indonesia should consider to do .. i just wish they could promote it with their own culture identity … and does it has any business with country development??? well i think yes .. dont u think so?? … nice to “chat” with u Zulfi … Tasa: sori bout this,btw i love Mtv when sarah en jamie still the VJ they were so funny that time … Zahra: as zulfi said u are smart, where are u?? malaysia?? have u heard they change “Jali-jali” songs lyrics?? from: lagunya enak dari betawi become: lagu nya enak dari Langkawi .. Gosh!!!!

@zulfi
well zulfi, sorry if you feel annoyed with us we prefer talk in bahasa then english, especially me. i was surprised when you ask what my comments are, it means that you want to mingle with Tasa’s Indonesian friends, right?! well that’s nice knowing you like to make friends with us😀

about the VJs….some of the VJs do look silly, but as long as they look fun then we can enjoy the show it’s fine i think, if they don’t then just change the channel….and turn it back when we want to check our video clip/song already played or not yet….that’s what a remote control is for

zulfi:
I don’t blame Malaysia for Indonesia condition. Did I sound like that? I’m sorry then…I really don’t blame them. Me personally think that Indonesia is this bad because of its people. We’re bunch of selfish people who just care for ourselves, our family, and our friends.

About this Malaysia thing, let’s play analogy again. Say I’m Indonesia, Malaysia is another girl. And my boyfriend is the cultures. So…I have a boyfriend, my boyfriend is handsome, rich, nice, smart, he’s all that. But even with that kind of boyfriend I’m still busy flirting with another boy. Well..then no wonder another girl wanna take that from me. And I can’t really blame the girl since it’s partially my fault, right??

In another place and time, I’m in a party. And because I’m not that popular, when people ask me who am I, I said I’m Malaysia. What does that tell you? Pathetic right? Of course it’s my fault that I lost my boyfriend to Malaysia. But then introduce myself as her?? One word: pride???
I hope you get me this time…
the point is I don’t blame Malaysia because of my lousy personality.

My fan?? Wahaha…thank you, appreciate that. Although I feel like I have to warn you, I’m not that great…so it’s OK if you wanna switch back to Guebukanmonyet or Journo.

Ms.Me:
I’m in Bandung, still in grad school…hehe😀
Really?? Oh my god…then thanks God I don’t live in Malaysia so I don’t have to hear it first time…that’s horrible! How could they??

Ms.Me:
Oh…and of course…how could us?? Why did we never do something?? Is it because we really can’t do anything about this OR we’re just stupid and crazy, I wonder…
(Or maybe there’s the third option, and so…?)

Zahra,I woud rate u the intelligent among the Indoneisans-I know.Your comments are sharp to the point and make the dumb like me understand..I would certify u as intelligent with my set of yardsticks..Yes,Tasa and Journo are brillant too..But they study abroad..U being educated in Indonesia has great command in english—hatts off.
Your Anology was homourous and hit the target..But I differ..I dont see “Indonesia’s “gurl friend as “culture”..to be Indoneisa is married to culture..How can Malaysia steal another wife’s husband..Everyone knows malaysia can only be mistress and not Wife.So legal term she gets nothing..You got what I meant..
You talk of malaysia stealing your culture…which all Indos here seem to agree..Let me tell u all wha happened 3 yrs back when I was in dubai..In an Expo..I went to Indonesia Tourism Stall and asked him the details of tour package to Yogyakarta, as I consider Borobudur Temple as great master piece…He looked at me for sometime and said..we have package for Bali…I added whether he has package like Jkt-Yogya-Bali..He said NO..and explained to me the beaches in Bali and Lombok…I said I wanna look at historic places, and Valconic mountains and not Beaches he said rudely in negative…and showed no interest to talk further..He was more interested to collect bussiness cards from Arabs and white men…who showed no interest to talk to him…well I would say he was rascist to look me down as I am brown skin .. I was stunned.. After 6 months,I saw an advt in newspaper for Malaysian Tourism..I called and checked whether they would help me visit Borobudur Temple in Indonesia..The operator was not aware but got all my details..But after 2 days called me back to say—Malaysian airlines will arrange my trip to Yogya from KL and it will be 2 days extra package..and had all Blah..Blah..stuffs about Malaysia too…So with one package for 6 days I can see Malaysian and Yogya ….How does it sound..!!!If Indonesia tourism ministry is gonna have rude men who drive men away…”2008 Visit Indonesia” will be bigggg failure.. Tourism dept must know Indonesia is not Jakarta and Bali alone…there are great places which must be projected to outside
@Ms.me: visit Malaysia or visit Indonesia..which will succed!! you tell me…..Look at malaysia and learn…..Indonesia Tourism and culture ministry is wasting money in advertising and wasting tax payers money… I see Malaysia doing favour to promote ur culture…
what you guys say…Can we stop this blame game and talk about MTV—heee…..

Zulfi
Oh my god…Please don’t call yourself dumb ESPECIALLY compare to me…I don’t even understand what ‘with my set of yardstick’ mean! And I have to tell you that there’s a LOT of people who only educated in Indonesia who are far far smarter and fluent in English than me. But thank you for the compliment, I’m flattered…:mrgreen:

I’m sorry for the rude behavior you’ve got. I guess we are stupid and crazy. This tourism things is just problem in the surface, deep inside, we have more fundamental problem. That’s what we have to take care first. And that’s another topic…so let’s just talk about MTV.

I said beside the music, I like the fun, creative and freedom that they inspire in their show. And I love the Happy Tree Friends show there, cute but sadistic. And I like Akon too! He have unique voice, his song ‘Don’t matter’ is favorite in my class now. Sometimes we sing along when the song playing or someone sing it.

Oh My god..I see u as too brillant …I was wondering how other Indos who study in Indonesia whom u say are fluent in English will be!!!!..I didnt meet any one like that still..IAm not flattering…I say the truth which many will agree..Akon has an unique voice..How nice will it be, if he becomes a role model to other fellow muslims..Rather being like a R&B artist who are famous for chicks and drinks…or u can call it babes and boose..

oh wow, i haven’t read this blog for a while and look! all it takes is a post about MTV and somehow the discussion has gone further to political realm. incredible! may i share my two cents here? sorry that i won’t be focusing on MTV — i don’t watch it anymore, hehehehe…

first off, to mr. zulfi: i would like to second ms. zahra on praising you for your so-called intellect. what an observant person you are, i must say. thanks for enlightening us about how malaysia is now among the developed countries (which i don’t doubt at all) leaving indonesia far behind, how respected malaysia is and therefore most indonesians abroad will call themselves malaysian because they are embarrassed of being indonesian. to tell the truth, i can’t remember the last time meeting an indonesian who tells everyone he/she’s malaysian. where did you meet these indonesians? in dubai, no? or in malaysia? oh, maybe in malaysia they have no other choice, since in malaysia confessing that they are indonesian might gain them harassment from the malaysian security officers! have you got the recent news?

as for the accusations of stealing cultural things, however, i must say that i agree, indonesians are over-reacting. culture does transcend beyond borders. as SOME part of malaysians and SOME part of indonesians share the inheritance of a certain cultural group – the malays, that’s it . however, i wouldn’t say the same about other ethnic groups existing in those two countries. you must’ve been aware that in malaysia there are the chinese and indian descents, who will be reluctant to be included in the same category with the malays. in short: these non-indigenous malaysians do not share cultural inheritance with some indonesian people.

finally, about indonesia’s infamous export of domestic workers. well, i won’t deny it. but i’ll be generous with you and other readers here as i’m going to spare a highly classified information: actually it’s part our long-term plan to conquer southeast asia. you see, indonesia’s population is 234 million — or half of the total number of southeast asia’s population (approx. 568 millions). so we’re sending off our people in order to gradually take over the area. and since malaysia and singapore are the closest neighbors, they are the first landing.😀

Let us not divert from MTV…Tasya has written a great article about MTV and the culture invasion phobia. Comments must be only about it that will him happy..But excuse me this time..Lenje,I come no way near Zahra and u second her praise to call me intellect–wait a sec..Are u gurls kidding!!!!!If I were in Medan,I will be put on trial and shot for talking bad about Indonesia bcos Iam Indian rgt…–hee..I dont agree to Zahra’s view of Malays stealing Indonesian culture.”Visit Malaysia” Advt says in Malaysia all cultural heritage in one place.
Your Human export information doesnt sound joke for me..But increases my blood pressure.U copied what Mexican president says about illegal immigrants in USa..If you want to take over the world..Why not u send them as skilled workers and not as slaves..Indos had shown there is slavery in USa..http://newzulfi.blogspot.com/2007/05/slavery-in-usof.html

Look at India..we go all the over the world as IT professionals. Why dont Indonesia take Philippines as example…YEs, Philippines are largest exporter of Human resources..They dont send their gurls as House maids..But rather as nurses or medical technologists or chefs..They had taken over the hospitals any where in the world..Even if you go to ICeland there will be a filippina nurse to treat you.USA issues highest number of Green cards to Philippinos..They have a strong foriegn office which takes care of their countrymen called -APWA(Abroad philippinos welfare association)..Can your Foreign office tell how many Indonesian inncoent gurls get killed or kill themself in Arabian peninsula…For your information in 2006–46 gurls died(legally all had killed themselves) more then 100 get lost or where abouts not known each year…There are 45,000 Indonesians in UAE alone ..in that 80% are below the age of 20…When I had seen these Innocent gurls in Dubai..I had asked myself what wrong did the girls do to work as Housemaids to these arrogant Arabs..In mosques these gurls do baby sitting so their lady master can pray in peace..Does god want that kind of prayer..Do u know they work for 24X7X365 for less then 100$..If I were Indonesian President, I will call back all the House maids by giving 6 months notice..almost all these gurls are illitrates..Not educating a child is a CRIME.. Standardise the education policy by bringing English and computers in school level..FOr employment –Give free land and tax holidays for companies like SONY,NATIONAL,JVC and HP to start base in Indonesia..Modernise the ports and create export processing zones like the one in bekasi near JKt.PAck off companies like Nike,GAP and BHS from Indonesia with notice period of 2 yrs, as stitching and sewing is like cheap labour.All these are easy to say..But tough to do..It is long term implementation process it is 5yr plan, u can call it panch-plan.yes,there will be corruption in all these sectors but at the end people’s quality of life will be better.After 5 yrs the world will look Indonesia as Economic hub or business house….But Now to be straight and honest..The arab world looks Indonesia as Whore house…thanks to the comments made by Yosuf Kalla..Do u guys need a VP like him????will he allow his daughter to sleep with an arab so his family will have roof and quality life will be better…Shame on him..IS this is gonna be Indonesian culture I guess MTV invasion is far better…

@Zahra:You had showed me great indo ambassdors in making.they write great articles too..They are really bunch of talented guys..I too joined your wagon now to hate MALAYSIA..they prosecute Ethnic Indians..shame on them for stealing Indos culture and crushing Indos & Indians..Enimes+enemies = friends..Now I take Lenje’s advice..Indos and Indians can conquer Malaysia and singapore and drive the Malays and Chinese out..Or crush them like what Europeans did to the native Red-Indians in Ameerica…Did I take a 360 degree shift !!!! At the end I need to see what is good for my nation and my people..There are lots of so called Muslims in Entertainment industry..–Did someone tell u about Micheal jackson and Wil smith. they are laughing stock..how about cat stevens?Have u heard about him..

Pls tell me the link..so I can tell my Indonesian friends that my friend’s article was publised in Jkt post…so I too can show off as friend of great Indoneisan writer…-heee…..
Jennie next time, let the comments also be published with that-heeeee………atleast minee…-heeeee…:P

So, Tasa.. since I am still learning how to write for the JP op-ed myself, therefore please excuse my humble curiosity:
But isn’t it too late for MTV? If I’m not mistaken, the jargon’s first introduced in the late 90ies.
And how about the gen Y back home that are already dealing with anti-depressant pills, drugs, alcoholism, sexual abuse, etcera? Could we ever resist ourselves from blaming America for our own neglect?
The conformed superficiality is one thing, but stress and depression denote something else.

Zahra: Thanks Zahra. I thank you back for giving me great comments. It’s an honor to know a potential young person like you. Kapan mau ditraktir?

Zulfi: Of course bro, I thank her and thank you for your kindness in giving great and inspiring comments. Well, she congratulated me in bahasa bro.

Yheudy: Thank so much girl, you know you’ve been a great inspiration to me too🙂

Marisa: I’m sure I’m going to read your article on The Jakarta Post pretty soon. Well, the jargon may have been introduced long time ago but the effects of this culture can be seen so clearly in our big cities eroding our own culture. Well, of course we can’t blame others for every misery we have. If we see it from a different perspective, it is us who let them “invade” us.

Hallo mr tasa, here itsme ahmad a Bandung people heheee…in this time as usual, i want to express my feeling in English, since i still learn English.

MTV gue banget, is something about culture too. yes there is tendency that young people imitate what they see in MTV. MTV also teach the people about lifestyle.

you know in my village, Babakan ciparay Majalay, there is 5 old year child ask his parent to color his hair. he said to his parent that he want to be like the people in MTV program with the colored hair. heheh…then he get angry with his parent because his parent refuse his request.

yes MTV is about the culture. so it is very good idea to socialize the media education in order the viewer can be the active one when they access media.

i don’t know exactly whether mass media especially television in Indonesia promote the better education or not to the audiences?

i think that is all what i can write here. waw…alhamdulillah i can exercise my English here. i hope many friends can give me some correction or new word for me. since I need supportive environment to elevate my English. despite my position as TKI (people say that about me), but i don’t want to miss learning english, as well as learning the discussion with the people from a different background and perspective.

Salam. Hi tasa, i like how you put your idea and thinking in writing style. how can you do that? and I personally like how you think about the situation.
I am really interested in your writing in Jakarta Post, titled ” Religiously we are good, what about morally?
Would you like to share your way when you want to write something? I hope you would like, since i really need clue from the beginning until the end of writing.
Thanks in advance.
ahmad

Itsme: Dear Ahmad, your English is very good. Trust me. You should be proud of yourself to be a young Indonesian living in Saudi but still has a big motivation to learn English as I’m sure you’re required to learn Arabic too.

MTV is as you said part of our young culture now, and we have to be careful to deal with such matter. Culture can be a very sensitive matter and tricky too. We can’t just point our finger at those young people who love MTV culture so much, especially me as I’m part of it too. As the world is getting smaller due to technology improvement cultural assimilation is something we can’t avoid, and this article proposes a win-win solution for that condition.

You know what, didn’t know that my article had been published by The Jakarta Post until you told me🙂 Thank you itsme. So, you’re a loyal reader of The Jakarta Post? I’d be more than happy to share some writing tips with you. Plase feel free to send a letter to my e-mail address. I myself have been getting writing tips from lots of great people including other indonesian bloggers such as Mba Jennie and Afsyuhud.

MTV? it’s not so me….i love the music but i hate the influence. MTV is just like another foreign corporate power. it creates products and wants everybody to be consumer so it can get richer and richer. Like Credit Card, never been in our life before we used this goddamn card as mean for transaction but, today almost everything can be purchased just by scratching the card to a machine.

Okay, take the simplest case handphone. this supposed to be just communication kit that everyone only needs for making phone call or text messaging. But today, nearly no one would be convinient using such gadget without MP3 players, Gaming, GPRS features. and what do Indonesian got? nearly just influenced by the fashion fever. but who’s got the real benefit of this so-called ‘acculturation’?

Again, they’re the foreign corporations like MasterCard, Nokia, Apple, and even ones like Freeport and Newmont Mining. Those corporate power that finally got rich from our natural resources and our consumptive behavior. Despite, we’re not a wealthy state at all.

To be more reflective to ourselves as a nation. We’re lacking self dignity and confidence. our leaders and elites are too lazy to invest in human resources. they’re too consumptive-minded, want everything instantly, hence always fed by others, foreigners!

they never looked at the abandoned homework; the ignored migrant workers who continued to be harassed overseas, the fate of people in Sidoarjo affected by our Minister’s company’s failed oil exploration that turned into mudflow disaster, and the rampant corruption cases everywhere that ranked us as no 5 most corrupt country in the world. WHAT A CULTURE DO WE HAVE…!

I think those are more scary than just MTV. what kind of future that Indonesia would see if those behaviors to be copied by today’s teenagers?

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guebukanmonyet is Tasa Nugraza Barley. He's a free man with unique thoughts and dreams. He sees his life and this world differently from anyone else. That's because he knows what he wants; and for that reason he doesn't want
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